Samuel Dash Conference on Human Rights
The Samuel Dash Conference on Human Rights is named for former Law Center professor Sam Dash. Our largest annual event, the conference brings together leading figures in the human rights field to discuss and debate a current human rights issue.
Held each spring, the Dash Conference was established by Samuel Dash’s family and friends, Georgetown Law alumni and the law firm of Cozen O’Connor to honor Dash’s contributions to international human rights and domestic civil rights. Dash, who joined the Georgetown Law faculty in 1965, and was on the board of the International League of Human Rights, traversed the globe in pursuit of justice. He led a human rights mission to Northern Ireland to investigate the 1972 “Bloody Sunday” incident, and traveled to the Soviet Union and Chile. In 1985, he was the first American to visit Nelson Mandela in prison and became involved in mediation efforts that eventually led to Mandela’s release. Dash also served as Chief Counsel of the Senate Watergate Committee’s investigation into the Nixon administration’s involvement in the Democratic National Committee break-in, which ultimately led to President Nixon’s resignation. Professor Dash passed away in 2004.
2025: Truth, Solidarity, and Repair
Haiti and the Global Movement for Reparations
2024: Protecting Environmental Defenders in an Age of Climate Emergency
Protecting environmental human rights defenders and promoting our universal human right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
2023: Sexual Violence in Conflict
Putting survivors' human rights front and center, and approaches to break the cycle of violence.
2022: The Role of Lawyers in a Democracy in Crisis
A truly democratic society is one where everyone’s human rights are respected.
2021: Justice and Accountability for Atrocity Crimes
Facing tough challenges and forging innovative responses.
2019: Human Rights and Today's Vulnerable Migrants
The legal community's role in strengthening protections for refugees and migrants in the current political climate.
2018: Defending Women’s Human Rights: Achievements, Obstacles, and Opportunities for Empowerment
A series of critically important topics impacting the fulfillment of women’s human rights.
2017: Global Criminal Justice: Accomplishments, Challenges, and Future Directions
Where the global criminal justice system stands, where it falls short, and where it needs to move forward in the future.
2016: Promoting the Rights of Children: International Norms and Domestic Opportunities
International norms and domestic opportunities.
2015: Migration, Border Externalization and Access to Humanitarian Protection Agenda
The human rights of migrants in the context of efforts to externalize control and enforcement of migration worldwide.
2014: Multilateral Development Banks & Human Rights
An ongoing review of World Bank lending safeguards and Inspection Panel reforms and an effort to frame a post-2015 global development agenda.
2013: Jurisdiction for Mass Atrocities
What tools can and should states use to fight impunity for mass atrocities.
2012: Maternal Health and Human Rights
National and global perspectives.
2011: The Role of Accountability in Protecting Human Rights and National Security
Pursuing accountability for human rights violations in the national security context.
2010: The Challenge of Balancing Peace and Justice
An evolving legal and policy framework
2009: Rule of Law in the Context of Military Interventions
Boots on the ground.
2008: The Future of Human Rights
How should the U.S. deal with human rights abuses?
2007: Constitutional Checks and Balances in the Post-9/11 Era: Revitalizing Congress's Role
Revitalizing Congress’s role in safeguarding security and human rights.
2006: War, Terror, and Human Rights: Setting the Agenda
Interrogating interrogations in the war on terror.